The Top 10 Tar Heel Centers of the Last 50 Years

The Top 10 Tar Heel Centers of the Last 50 Years

With the fall steadily approaching and “list season” officially upon us, it feels like the perfect time to revisit one of the proudest traditions in North Carolina basketball: dominance in the paint.

From national champions to All-Americans to NBA veterans, the Tar Heels have produced a long line of big men who’ve defined eras in Chapel Hill. And with the arrival of 7-footer Henri Veesar from Arizona this season, UNC fans are buzzing about the possibility of returning to that classic inside-out style that Dean Smith and Roy Williams made staples of the program.

But before Veesar begins writing his chapter, let’s look back at the 10 greatest UNC centers from the past half-century players who’ve left an indelible mark on Carolina history.

Honorable Mentions

Kennedy Meeks – The 2017 title game hero who averaged 12.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. His effort down the stretch against Gonzaga cemented him as a fan favorite forever.

Scott Williams – The rugged center who averaged 14.5 points his senior season, played alongside Michael Jordan with the Bulls, and gave us one of UNC-Duke’s funniest moments when his celebratory fist pump landed squarely on Bobby Hurley’s face.

10. Brendan Haywood

A shot-blocking machine, Haywood averaged 13.6 points and 7.5 rebounds his junior season and ranks third all-time in blocks at UNC. He later won an NBA Championship with the Mavericks in 2011 and now shines as a national basketball analyst.

9. Mitch Kupchak

The future NBA executive was a force in the mid-70s, averaging 17.6 points and 11.3 rebounds his final year. Kupchak later won championships as both a player and a front-office leader.

8. Tyler Zeller

The 7-footer was the steady presence of the 2012 team, averaging 16.3 points and 9.6 rebounds. Injuries derailed that team’s title hopes, but Zeller remains one of the most polished big men UNC has ever had.

7. Armando Bacot

The face of Carolina basketball in the 2020s, Bacot’s double-double averages (16.3 points, 13.1 rebounds as a junior) and his leadership during the unforgettable 2022 NCAA run made him a Tar Heel legend. And yes, beating Coach K twice in his farewell tour only added to his legacy.

6. Rasheed Wallace

A two-year wonder, Wallace averaged 16.6 points and 8.2 rebounds as a sophomore while electrifying crowds with his athleticism. His energy carried into the NBA, where he became a 4-time All-Star and NBA champion.

5. Sean May

The hero of the 2005 National Championship team, May dominated the NCAA Tournament, averaging a double-double (17.5 and 10.7). Few Tar Heel bigs have ever been more unstoppable when locked in.

4. Eric Montross

“Big Grits” helped lead Dean Smith to his second national championship in 1993. Tough, physical, and beloved, Montross averaged 15.8 points and 7.6 rebounds during his peak season and remains a Chapel Hill icon.

3. Sam Perkins

The smooth lefty big man averaged nearly 18 points and 10 rebounds, won the 1982 National Championship alongside Michael Jordan, and set the UNC record for career blocks. His NBA career lasted 17 seasons, showcasing his longevity and versatility.

2. Brad Daugherty

A true seven-footer, Daugherty averaged 20.2 points and 9 rebounds his senior year before becoming a 5-time NBA All-Star. Injuries shortened his pro career, but his dominance at UNC lives on. Today, fans also know him as a passionate NASCAR analyst.

1. Tyler Hansbrough

No surprise here “Psycho T” is not only UNC’s greatest center of the last 50 years but one of the greatest Tar Heels ever. A four-time All-American, ACC’s all-time leading scorer, and 2009 national champion, Hansbrough’s relentless drive and unmatched will to win defined an era in Chapel Hill. He averaged 22.6 points and 10.2 rebounds as a junior and led UNC to a redemption tour title in 2009 after the disappointment of 2008.

Final Thoughts

The tradition of dominant big men is woven into Carolina basketball’s identity. From Hansbrough’s fire to Perkins’ polish to Bacot’s modern-day consistency, the center position has been the anchor of Tar Heel greatness.

And now, with Henri Veesar’s arrival, UNC fans wonder: could the next name on this list be about to write his story in Chapel Hill history?